Hopes derailed for quick monorail trip
IT has been more than one month since Rapid Rail discontinued its four-car train sets due to safety reasons.
Rapid Rail chief executive officer Datuk Zohari Sulaiman was reported to have said: “We have identified several safety-related concerns on the four-car trains and have demanded Scomi, the train manufacturer, to carry out safety-critical improvement works and re-certify the rail-worthiness of the trains.”
On the other hand, Scomi Engineering Bhd (SEB), whose subsidiary made the train sets, claims that the trains were “fit for operation” based on full inspection being carried out.
Scomi added that the trains had been operated and maintained by Prasarana Malaysia Bhd’s subsidiary, Rapid Rail, after they were delivered in 2014.
The dispute continues with each party blaming the other. Finger-pointing will not lead us anywhere. This is a classic case of “when elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers”.
Commuters who depend on the monorail services suffer daily. Where is the convenience promised for a speedier and efficient public transport system?
With the grounding of more than half of the capacity, KL Monorail is operating with only two-car trains at eight-minute intervals.
This translates into longer waiting time, more jostling and pushing to get on board trains, delays and frustration.
Surely, commuters deserve a better deal. They are not even informed as to when normal service will resume.
The alternative provided — shuttle bus services at 15 to 20minute intervals between major stations — is not a solution.
With roads in KL congested during peak hours, reaching one’s destination will take even longer.
This is an appeal for the prime minister to step in to mandate the Land Public Transport Commission, the authority in charge of railways, to resolve the matter as soon as possible.